{"id":167,"date":"2022-08-08T22:14:56","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T22:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/?page_id=167"},"modified":"2023-06-30T17:26:04","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T17:26:04","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"167\" class=\"elementor elementor-167\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9041e3e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9041e3e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;video&quot;,&quot;background_video_link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/vimeo.com\\\/738331939&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-video-container elementor-hidden-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-video-embed\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03792d5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"03792d5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6a8963 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b6a8963\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18dcc95 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"18dcc95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45404fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"45404fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mission<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0cae45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f0cae45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cTo establish and maintain a public aquarium in the Rockford, Illinois area for the betterment of our community with a focus toward educating children and adults to the wonders and sustainment of our watersheds, rivers, oceans and the life within.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70e67db e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"70e67db\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b2c15d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4b2c15d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33e48be elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"33e48be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"441\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/photo-2.-the-Conservatory-03-03-20233960-\u00d7-2180-px-33960-\u00d7-2180-px-1-1024x564.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1434\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b92410a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b92410a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0d9c32 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"a0d9c32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-fish\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M327.1 96c-89.97 0-168.54 54.77-212.27 101.63L27.5 131.58c-12.13-9.18-30.24.6-27.14 14.66L24.54 256 .35 365.77c-3.1 14.06 15.01 23.83 27.14 14.66l87.33-66.05C158.55 361.23 237.13 416 327.1 416 464.56 416 576 288 576 256S464.56 96 327.1 96zm87.43 184c-13.25 0-24-10.75-24-24 0-13.26 10.75-24 24-24 13.26 0 24 10.74 24 24 0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-adb89e8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"adb89e8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27e0cab e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"27e0cab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d872ade elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d872ade\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a066968 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a066968\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Vision<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-240d1e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"240d1e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cTo offer a life-altering aquarium experience where visitors will explore beautiful and vibrant ocean life and learn the importance of conserving our water, the ocean and its inhabitants\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99d7942 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"99d7942\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68a9112 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"68a9112\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"517\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RIVER-WALK-BACK-SIDE-OF-ROCKFORD-AQUARIUM-08-25-2022-2-1024x662.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1752 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/517;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"517\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RIVER-WALK-BACK-SIDE-OF-ROCKFORD-AQUARIUM-08-25-2022-2-1024x662.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1752\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9b59ec e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f9b59ec\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54daf2e elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"54daf2e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-fish\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M327.1 96c-89.97 0-168.54 54.77-212.27 101.63L27.5 131.58c-12.13-9.18-30.24.6-27.14 14.66L24.54 256 .35 365.77c-3.1 14.06 15.01 23.83 27.14 14.66l87.33-66.05C158.55 361.23 237.13 416 327.1 416 464.56 416 576 288 576 256S464.56 96 327.1 96zm87.43 184c-13.25 0-24-10.75-24-24 0-13.26 10.75-24 24-24 13.26 0 24 10.74 24 24 0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab919a9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ab919a9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-522a075 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"522a075\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57a35f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"57a35f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9cd0f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f9cd0f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Goals<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b6659c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b6659c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>&#8220;To be a leader in the aquarium industry, providing innovative exhibits and educational programs that engage and enlighten visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Through our commitment to conservation and sustainability, we hope to create a better future for our planet and all its living creatures.&#8221;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d34303 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0d34303\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9147b6 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e9147b6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f9df9e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3f9df9e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"441\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/1920.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1427 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/441;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"441\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/1920.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1427\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ec525b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1ec525b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66a00ca animated-slow e-con-full e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"66a00ca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5c92a2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c5c92a2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9fb841 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e9fb841\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38aac81 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"38aac81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AQUARIUM SIZE, SITE, AND DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT GOAL<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c27cf7 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5c27cf7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3e28e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b3e28e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94bdb6d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"94bdb6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>By 2025, we seek to harness these development strategies toward Our vision of a robust, modern aquarium, deeply rooted in values and prospering with measurable impact in showcasing ocean and freshwater environments through an integrated approach to research, education, entertainment, and conservation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8336e62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8336e62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The attendance analysis and aquarium industry data provided in the ConsultEcon development feasibility study informed the assumed &#8220;right size&#8221; for the Rockford Aquarium at approximately 50,000 SF with 250,000 gallons of water. In addition, the Aquarium&#8217;s outside ground areas will be used for additional exhibits and visitor experiences, visitor access, an open space caf\u00e9, and event seating.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8f9a70 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f8f9a70\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91449db elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"91449db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"535\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/biljana-martinic-KjFBdofUjco-unsplash-1024x685.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1863 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/535;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"535\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/biljana-martinic-KjFBdofUjco-unsplash-1024x685.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1863\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a588271 animated-slow e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a588271\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bb8548 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5bb8548\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0d506c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b0d506c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ac9385 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7ac9385\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df1b343 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"df1b343\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"556\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/kids-watching-aquarium-SBI-300363686-1024x712.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-569 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/556;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"556\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/kids-watching-aquarium-SBI-300363686-1024x712.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-569\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-714ec97 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"714ec97\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ba3767 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1ba3767\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">PROTOTYPICAL BUILDING PROGRAM GOAL<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6b9b3c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e6b9b3c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Key features of this prototypical building program will include permanent and changing exhibits, with interactive animal displays and visual experiences that are highly repeatable and impactful, outdoor and public open space that contributes to more extended stays by guests, and deeper visitor engagement, education program, and community event spaces, visitor immersion experiences, and other support spaces.\u00a0<\/p><p>Because a specific site has not been secured at the Barber Colman Campus, the analysis has assumed a &#8220;generic waterfront site&#8221; on the riverside area that would meet the positioning requirements of a significant aquarium and will serve to advance the legacy goal of revitalizing the South Main Corridor.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-620c650 animated-slow e-con-full e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"620c650\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1147587 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1147587\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b46f62 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1b46f62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ATTENDANCE AND OPERATING POTENTIAL GOAL<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91f40fd e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"91f40fd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0515af2 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0515af2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fcc1c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5fcc1c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Aquarium has the potential to operate successfully over time based on the current facility plans, proposed facility size, visitor experiences and programs, and the preliminary operating plan. The Aquarium&#8217;s success will depend on intensive marketing, educational learning programs and operations, a trained staff, and active corps of volunteers and members. Diversified and creative sources of revenue and sound fiscal management will assist the Rockford Aquarium in sustaining its operations and achieving its potential for economic impacts and community benefits.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb298c9 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bb298c9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;slideshow&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_gallery&quot;:[],&quot;background_slideshow_loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_duration&quot;:5000,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_transition_duration&quot;:500}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e348f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0e348f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"644\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Untitled-design-41-768x644.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-2008 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/644;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"644\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Untitled-design-41-768x644.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-2008\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bec08a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5bec08a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;video&quot;,&quot;background_video_link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/vimeo.com\\\/740816516&quot;,&quot;background_play_on_mobile&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-video-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-video-embed\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0341d75 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0341d75\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de07efa elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"de07efa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8769718 animated-slow e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8769718\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85d429b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"85d429b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7588aaf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7588aaf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">STRATEGIC PLANNING GOAL<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cfd57b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2cfd57b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;slideshow&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_gallery&quot;:[],&quot;background_slideshow_loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_duration&quot;:5000,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_transition_duration&quot;:500}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a65da4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0a65da4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"580\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Untitled-design-80-1024x743.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2410 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/580;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"580\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Untitled-design-80-1024x743.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2410\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71efbc7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"71efbc7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29d5fb5 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"29d5fb5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28b0f76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"28b0f76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Aquarium&#8217;s strategic plan has been a powerful, flexible tool that the Board will revisit and revise each year. The Planning will be a continuous process, not a one-time event. It has been a method by the Board to declare priorities and explain the need for additional resources or for doing work differently with better results.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f13b54 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4f13b54\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9644271 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"9644271\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0b480a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e0b480a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fe55f5 elementor-headline--style-highlight elementor-widget elementor-widget-animated-headline\" data-id=\"9fe55f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;marker&quot;:&quot;underline&quot;,&quot;highlighted_text&quot;:&quot; - OCTOBER  2021 -&quot;,&quot;headline_style&quot;:&quot;highlight&quot;,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;highlight_animation_duration&quot;:1200,&quot;highlight_iteration_delay&quot;:8000}\" data-widget_type=\"animated-headline.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-headline-plain-text elementor-headline-text-wrapper\">CONSULTECON, INC. MANAGEMENT & ECONOMIC INSIGHT<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-headline-dynamic-wrapper elementor-headline-text-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-headline-dynamic-text elementor-headline-text-active\"> - OCTOBER  2021 -<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4c82d4da animated-slow elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"4c82d4da\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-68a87621 animated-slow elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"68a87621\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d476b05 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d476b05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/shaun-low-v8Un2Roo1Ak-unsplash.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-276 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 6000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 6000\/4000;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/shaun-low-v8Un2Roo1Ak-unsplash.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-276\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-372d687b animated-slow elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"372d687b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c1a0693 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4c1a0693\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cOverall, aquariums continue to be proposed, planned, and constructed in many places throughout the world and in the U.S. The U.S. market has an especially strong array of not-for profit public aquariums. Currently there are over 100 aquariums in<\/p><p>the U.S. with many zoos also offering full aquarium experiences.<\/p><p>Most major U.S. cities and tourism destinations now have public aquariums.<\/p><p>The continued and long-term public market acceptance and repeat visitation patterns to aquariums, along with technical advances in aquarium tank and life support systems, have fostered the proliferation of smaller aquariums in smaller cities and smaller tourist destinations and in commercial settings such as shopping centers.<\/p><p>Most aquariums have a record of strong attendance and operating results.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-6e48ce3b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6e48ce3b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7e9da7d5\" data-id=\"7e9da7d5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-783a395 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"783a395\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consultecon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>*ConsultEcon, Inc.<\/strong><\/a><strong> &#8211; Management &amp; Economic Insight October 1, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c81328 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8c81328\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72814bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-tabs\" data-id=\"72814bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        <div data-scroll-on-click=\"no\" data-scroll-speed=\"300\" id=\"eael-advance-tabs-72814bc\" class=\"eael-advance-tabs eael-tabs-horizontal eael-tab-auto-active \" data-tabid=\"72814bc\">\n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-nav\">\n                <ul class=\"eael-tab-inline-icon\" role=\"tablist\">\n                                            <li id=\"the-mississippi-aquarium-\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger eael-tab-nav-item\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"the-mississippi-aquarium--tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                                                        \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title title-after-icon\" >The Mississippi Aquarium <\/span>                            \n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"the-seattle-aquarium\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger eael-tab-nav-item\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"the-seattle-aquarium-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                                                        \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title title-after-icon\" >The Seattle Aquarium<\/span>                            \n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"the-odysea-aquarium\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger eael-tab-nav-item\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"the-odysea-aquarium-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                                                        \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title title-after-icon\" >The Odysea Aquarium<\/span>                            \n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"ripleys-canada-aquarium\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger eael-tab-nav-item\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"ripleys-canada-aquarium-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                                                        \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title title-after-icon\" >Ripley's Canada Aquarium<\/span>                            \n                                                    <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-content\">\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"the-mississippi-aquarium--tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"the-mississippi-aquarium--tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-291 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/mississippi-1024x512.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/400;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-291 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/mississippi-1024x512.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" \/><\/noscript><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.msaquarium.org\/\"><strong>The Mississippi Aquarium<\/strong><\/a> in Gulfport opened August 29, 2020. It has 80,000 square feet (SF) on a 5.8-acre site with over 1 million gallons of water in its displays. It has 12 major exhibits featuring over 200 species of fish and 50 species of native plants.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\">The development budget was $93 million of which $14.5 million was land purchase by the City of Gulfport. Attendance has been hampered by the COVID pandemic, but when conditions improved earlier this year, attendance increased.<\/p>                    <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"the-seattle-aquarium-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"the-seattle-aquarium-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-292 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/seattle.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"669\" height=\"446\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 669px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 669\/446;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-292 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/seattle.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"669\" height=\"446\" \/><\/noscript><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattleaquarium.org\/\"><strong>The Seattle Aquarium<\/strong><\/a> is planning a 50,000 SF Ocean Pavilion expansion adjacent to its existing 116,000 SF facility. A 325,000-gallon tank with 6-foot-long sharks and 6-foot-wide sting rays native to the South Pacific will be the main draw of the new pavilion. The total cost is estimated at $113 million. The planned opening of the expansion is in 2023.<\/p>                    <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"the-odysea-aquarium-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"the-odysea-aquarium-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-293 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/odysea-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/534;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-293 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/odysea-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/noscript><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.odyseaaquarium.com\/\"><strong>The Odysea Aquarium<\/strong><\/a> Scottsdale opened September 2016. The building spans over 200,000 SF and its tanks hold more than 2 million gallons of water. The building construction cost was reported at $52.5 million and fit-out and soft costs reportedly increased total development cost to over $100 million. There are over 6,000 animals and 370 different species in over 65 exhibits. Odysea Aquarium is part of a $175 million entertainment complex called Arizona Boardwalk that is partially completed on 35 acres near Scottsdale leased from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.<\/p>                    <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"ripleys-canada-aquarium-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"ripleys-canada-aquarium-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-294 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/ripleys-1024x706.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"552\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/552;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-294 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/ripleys-1024x706.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"552\" \/><\/noscript><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ripleyaquariums.com\/canada\/\"><strong>Ripley&#8217;s Canada Aquarium<\/strong><\/a> is a 135,000 SF aquarium with more than 1.5 million gallons of water that opened 2013. This is a for-profit aquarium is located at the base of the CN Tower and close to major Toronto attractions. Its 780,000-gallon shark tank is the centerpiece of the $130 million aquarium (including $11 million incentive contribution from the Province of Ontario). It averaged 2 million annual visitors in its first five years of operations.<\/p>                    <\/div>\n\t\t                    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-814367c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"814367c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-183b29a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"183b29a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tennessee Aquarium<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4a147e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b4a147e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/THE-30-YEAR-ECONOMIC-IMPACT-INFOGRAPHIC-2.-768x432.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-648 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/THE-30-YEAR-ECONOMIC-IMPACT-INFOGRAPHIC-2.-768x432.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-648\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9907622 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9907622\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To view THE 30-YEAR ECONOMIC IMPACT PDF<\/p><p>Follow the link below<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9961b67 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"9961b67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/economic-development\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Economic Development <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f257f2f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f257f2f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2f15f5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a2f15f5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;slideshow&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_gallery&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:2150,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\\\/new\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/03\\\/Untitled-Facebook-Cover-1.png&quot;}],&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_ken_burns&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_duration&quot;:5000,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_transition_duration&quot;:500,&quot;background_slideshow_ken_burns_zoom_direction&quot;:&quot;in&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd0be8b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"bd0be8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95795ea e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"95795ea\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4eff1f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4eff1f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-452d7a9 animated-slow elementor-headline--style-highlight elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-animated-headline\" data-id=\"452d7a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;marker&quot;:&quot;underline&quot;,&quot;highlighted_text&quot;:&quot;GOAL&quot;,&quot;highlight_animation_duration&quot;:1000,&quot;highlight_iteration_delay&quot;:7000,&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;,&quot;headline_style&quot;:&quot;highlight&quot;,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"animated-headline.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-headline-plain-text elementor-headline-text-wrapper\">UNIQUE, LOCAL MARINE, AND FRESHWATER STORYTELLING <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-headline-dynamic-wrapper elementor-headline-text-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-headline-dynamic-text elementor-headline-text-active\">GOAL<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6dfd95 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b6dfd95\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b2023f e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3b2023f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73f2c77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"73f2c77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e43e126 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e43e126\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"512\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/david-clode-zAd2kgf9RBQ-unsplash-1024x655.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2019 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/512;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"512\" src=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/david-clode-zAd2kgf9RBQ-unsplash-1024x655.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2019\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ea2e3c e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ea2e3c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3a5090 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f3a5090\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3528aca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3528aca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Aquariums are a well-known attraction type, generally with high and repeat visitation levels. Aquarium audiences have preconceived expectations that their experience will be &#8220;fresh&#8221; and that there are new reasons to visit will be offered.<\/p><p>While most aquariums focus on saltwater habitats, some have successfully interpreted their unique, local marine or freshwater stories, which helps them be especially interesting for local tourists and residents. Other aquariums offer a mix of &#8220;exotic&#8221; environments and species and compare them to the local water environment and species.<\/p><p>Aquariums&#8217; technology and exhibit techniques have improved substantially in recent decades. Advanced life support systems, improved husbandry techniques, more extensive, unobstructed acrylic panels and tunnels for better viewing, and other improvements have become standard in modern aquariums.<\/p><p>Today, as technology and digital exhibitions have advanced and improved, the visitor experience and expectations have also risen.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5fb9f5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b5fb9f5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c9e0cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8c9e0cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96ca4d5 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"96ca4d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;none&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 24 24&#039; fill=&#039;none&#039; stroke=&#039;black&#039; stroke-width=&#039;1&#039; stroke-linecap=&#039;square&#039; stroke-miterlimit=&#039;10&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M0,6c6,0,0.9,11.1,6.9,11.1S18,6,24,6&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-fish\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M327.1 96c-89.97 0-168.54 54.77-212.27 101.63L27.5 131.58c-12.13-9.18-30.24.6-27.14 14.66L24.54 256 .35 365.77c-3.1 14.06 15.01 23.83 27.14 14.66l87.33-66.05C158.55 361.23 237.13 416 327.1 416 464.56 416 576 288 576 256S464.56 96 327.1 96zm87.43 184c-13.25 0-24-10.75-24-24 0-13.26 10.75-24 24-24 13.26 0 24 10.74 24 24 0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24774cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"24774cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03cbef3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"03cbef3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d952f0 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0d952f0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86bfac2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"86bfac2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">STRATEGIC MARKETING AND PROGRAM GOAL<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bcaf7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9bcaf7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Today, the beauty of marine life and environments is combined in aquariums with strong educational content and commitment to conservation in the messages to visitors and in direct conservation and research programs that address a wide variety of topics, such as species survival and habitat restoration, both on-site and in the field.<\/p><p>The Aquarium will achieve success in various market contexts given the right size, quality program content, competitive pricing, strategic marketing programs, conservation and research initiatives, and a sustainable operating model.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c5221d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1c5221d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e215391 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e215391\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7ab7c9 animated-slow e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a7ab7c9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe252ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"fe252ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;vimeo&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<iframe class=\"elementor-video-iframe lazyload\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay\" title=\"vimeo Video Player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/810564761?autoplay=1&amp;color&amp;autopause=0&amp;loop=1&amp;muted=0&amp;title=1&amp;portrait=1&amp;byline=1&amp;h=294285539c#t=\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7d1459 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f7d1459\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f98c0e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5f98c0e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a67be99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a67be99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ce726b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9ce726b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>ConsultEcon provided the &#8216;Landmark Feasibility Study&#8217; for the economic, feasibility, marketing, and planning services for\u00a0<\/em><\/p><p><em>the Project, to the County, The City of Rockford, and\u00a0The Rockford Aquarium.<\/em><\/p><p><strong>*CONSULTECON, INC.- \u00a0For Further Information, Please Link To :<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consultecon.com\/\"><strong>https:\/\/www.consultecon.com\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d4203d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1d4203d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a8537a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4a8537a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">To Learn More PLease Follow the link below<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c38b24 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2c38b24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/economic-development\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Economic Development<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee6b8af elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ee6b8af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mission \u201cTo establish and maintain a public aquarium in the Rockford, Illinois area for the betterment of our community with a focus toward educating children and adults to the wonders and sustainment of our watersheds, rivers, oceans and the life within.\u201d Vision \u201cTo offer a life-altering aquarium experience where visitors will explore beautiful and vibrant [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>About Us - Rockford Aquarium<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"About Us - Rockford Aquarium\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Mission \u201cTo establish and maintain a public aquarium in the Rockford, Illinois area for the betterment of our community with a focus toward educating children and adults to the wonders and sustainment of our watersheds, rivers, oceans and the life within.\u201d Vision \u201cTo offer a life-altering aquarium experience where visitors will explore beautiful and vibrant [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Rockford Aquarium\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-06-30T17:26:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RIVER-WALK-BACK-SIDE-OF-ROCKFORD-AQUARIUM-08-25-2022-2-1024x662.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/\",\"name\":\"About Us - Rockford Aquarium\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RIVER-WALK-BACK-SIDE-OF-ROCKFORD-AQUARIUM-08-25-2022-2-1024x662.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-08-08T22:14:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-30T17:26:04+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RIVER-WALK-BACK-SIDE-OF-ROCKFORD-AQUARIUM-08-25-2022-2.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RIVER-WALK-BACK-SIDE-OF-ROCKFORD-AQUARIUM-08-25-2022-2.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1242},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"About Us\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#website\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/\",\"name\":\"Rockford Aquarium\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Rockford Aquarium\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ralogo-01.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ralogo-01.png\",\"width\":1050,\"height\":450,\"caption\":\"Rockford Aquarium\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"About Us - Rockford Aquarium","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"About Us - Rockford Aquarium","og_description":"Mission \u201cTo establish and maintain a public aquarium in the Rockford, Illinois area for the betterment of our community with a focus toward educating children and adults to the wonders and sustainment of our watersheds, rivers, oceans and the life within.\u201d Vision \u201cTo offer a life-altering aquarium experience where visitors will explore beautiful and vibrant [&hellip;]","og_url":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/","og_site_name":"Rockford Aquarium","article_modified_time":"2023-06-30T17:26:04+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RIVER-WALK-BACK-SIDE-OF-ROCKFORD-AQUARIUM-08-25-2022-2-1024x662.png","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/","url":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/","name":"About Us - Rockford Aquarium","isPartOf":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RIVER-WALK-BACK-SIDE-OF-ROCKFORD-AQUARIUM-08-25-2022-2-1024x662.png","datePublished":"2022-08-08T22:14:56+00:00","dateModified":"2023-06-30T17:26:04+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en","@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/#primaryimage","url":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RIVER-WALK-BACK-SIDE-OF-ROCKFORD-AQUARIUM-08-25-2022-2.png","contentUrl":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RIVER-WALK-BACK-SIDE-OF-ROCKFORD-AQUARIUM-08-25-2022-2.png","width":1920,"height":1242},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/about-us\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"About Us"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#website","url":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/","name":"Rockford Aquarium","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#organization","name":"Rockford Aquarium","url":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en","@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ralogo-01.png","contentUrl":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ralogo-01.png","width":1050,"height":450,"caption":"Rockford Aquarium"},"image":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/author\/admin\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":null,"rttpg_excerpt":"Mission \u201cTo establish and maintain a public aquarium in the Rockford, Illinois area for the betterment of our community with a focus toward educating children and adults to the wonders and sustainment of our watersheds, rivers, oceans and the life within.\u201d Vision \u201cTo offer a life-altering aquarium experience where visitors will explore beautiful and vibrant&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/167"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=167"}],"version-history":[{"count":94,"href":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2420,"href":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/167\/revisions\/2420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.rockfordaquarium.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}